Personnel of the Army’s 10th Infantry Division (10ID) donated a part of their subsistence allowance amounting to PHP697,000 to help in the relief operations of Severe Tropical Storm Paeng victims in Maguindanao.

Capt. Mark Anthony Tito, the 10ID spokesperson, said the fund was used to buy 1,000 hygiene kits, mosquito nets, detergent bars, packs of coffee, and pails that were distributed to the victims on Nov. 13.

The 10th Civil-Military Operations (CMO) Battalion together with the 6th CMO Battalion of the 6ID, and the local government of Datu Blah Sinsuat also distributed the following day relief packs to the residents of Barangays Pura and Matuber of the town.

“Around 720 families benefited from the two-day relief operations,” Tito said in an interview Wednesday.

Maj. Gen. Nolasco Mempin, the 10ID commander, lauded the combined efforts of his command at the 6ID for helping affected families in times of calamities.

“Our service to our fellow countrymen does not only limit to security. It is also our honor and pride as soldiers, to help in any way we could anytime, anywhere,” he said.

Meanwhile, Normia Vilo of Barangay Pura thanked the Army for choosing their area in the relief distribution.

“Even if you came from far areas you came here to extend help in our barangay,” she said.

Last week, the 10ID and its partner stakeholders also conducted relief operations for the affected communities in Upi, Maguindanao. (PNA)